School bands will host 10th Sweetheart Gala

The 10 The annual Sweetheart Gala, which will be held on Valentine's Day at St. Mary's Catholic Church, will benefit the Park City High School and Treasure Mountain Junior High School band programs. (Photo by Jill Orschel)

Anyone for a novel way to celebrate Valentine’s Day should consider the 10th Annual Sweetheart Gala that will be held on at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1505 W. White Pine Canyon Rd. from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.

The big band dinner dance fundraiser for Park City Bands is sponsored by the Park City High School Music Department and Park City Education Foundation. The event provides much needed support for the Park City High School/Treasure Mountain Jr. High band program.

Doors open at 6 p.m. A jazz combo will play during dinner service beginning at 6:30 p.m., with dancing from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.

The Sweetheart Gala is an interesting combination of old-time community dance and huge party, with teenagers dancing alongside octogenarians, and locals mingling with visitors from as far away as South Carolina and Georgia, even China.

The award-winning, by-audition-only PCHS Varsity Jazz Ensemble will perform everything from swing hits of the early big band era to contemporary big band charts.

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Varsity Jazz is the elite jazz band of three in grades 8 through 12.

Its hardworking members sacrifice sleep in favor of "zero hour" rehearsals beginning at 6:30 a.m., daily.

Every band student in grades 9 through 12, as well as many parents, work on the Sweetheart Gala in some capacity, and all profits from the event benefit the outstanding PC Bands. Money is used to purchase instruments, cases, uniforms, and music; provide special clinics and master classes; and help defray expenses the bands incur when traveling, especially for national competition, such as their April San Francisco tour.

A limited number of Sweetheart Gala tickets are still available at $65 per person at tables adjacent to the dance floor or $55 at others.